Judge not lifting contempt ruling against Kan. doc

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A federal judge has refused to lift a criminal contempt finding against a Kansas doctor who repeatedly interrupted her during a recent appearance on charges related to a $7 million Army fraud and bribery indictment.

U.S. District Judge Julie Robinson on Thursday rejected a defense request to reconsider the judgment against 50-year-old Heidi Lynn Webster, of Manhattan. Robinson sentenced Webster to 30 days on top to any sentence she receives in the underlying Texas case accusing her of medical equipment contract fraud.

Webster’s attorney told the court his client was remorseful and called her conduct a result of “panic and shock from being arrested.”

But Robinson ruled the attorney made no legal showing to merit reconsideration and noted the court repeatedly warned Webster during last week’s hearing.